Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations for 2025 · Curacao · Jamaica · Martinique · Trinidad & Tobago · U, S. Virgin Islands · Puerto Rico · Barbados · Grenada. When I announced on social media that I was headed to St Lucia and Grenada for two months, one of my friends asked for tips on how to see the Caribbean on a budget. This started my juices flowing to pull on all of my experience so far and do some research as I went.
I’ve collected British Airways points for years. But the key for the Caribbean is that most of the flights that come from the UK don’t stop on just one island. For example, flights to Antigua continue to Saint Kitt’s. On the flight I got to St Lucia and then went on to Trinidad.
The one I eventually booked to Grenada came from St Lucia and cost me just £11 return (for offsetting the carbon). The rest of it was on my points. Keep your eye out for these extra little flights as they could make it easier to explore more islands for less. Before I visited for the first time, I expected there to be regular ferry links between the islands.
But it is not like Europe and these are limited. However, depending on where you choose to travel, it is not impossible. For example, check out Bahamas Ferries, QE IV and Road Town Fast Ferry for the US Virgin Islands. For the most comprehensive ferry service, check out L’Express des Iles which runs passenger boats between the islands of Dominica, St Lucia, Guadaloupe, Martinique, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes.
Another way to travel the Caribbean on a budget is to avoid staying in the more popular beach resorts. For example, if you like the Dominican Republic, head away from Punta Cana and you could save significant costs. In Barbados, try the south coast instead of the west, or for a completely different experience, the far less visited east coast. Thank you Chirasree & really pleased you found the post useful.
I have no doubt you would love Cuba & glad to have helped you plan better. The Dominican Republic gives travelers the best bang for their buck due to a low cost of living and wide selection of all-inclusive stays. Punta Cana, the island’s most popular city, is a hub of beachfront resorts and adventure activities. Though the island is budget-friendly throughout the year, planning your visit between May and November is recommended to keep costs down as demand (and prices) increase significantly during winter and spring.
Just be sure you can live with the risk of storms and other weather issues in low season. You can fly from many UK airports to the Caribbean – some airlines only fly seasonally but British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly year-round, adding and changing routes as necessary. Many islands cater to luxury travel but if you are a budget-conscious traveler, you too can enjoy everything the Caribbean has to offer. The summer period – low season in the Caribbean – has a string of back-to-back Carnivals in St Vincent, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Lucia.
While Caribbean islands vary in affordability throughout the year, several islands consistently rank among the most budget-friendly. With sands of varying hues of white, pink, brown and black, lush green forests, and tantalizing clear turquoise waters, the Caribbean is the first choice of many to escape the bustle of life and soak in soothing nature. It searches for the quickest and cheapest routes which cut out a lot of site juggling when you are looking for the best deal. Before I arrived in the Caribbean for the first time, I was mesmerised by the photos I’d seen of the beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise blue ocean.
Due to transportation costs, imported food in the Caribbean is always expensive, especially for international brands. Avoid traveling to the Caribbean during the high season (November to April), as flight prices and accommodation are more expensive. In my experience, most of the islands do have drinkable tap water and this will always be the cheapest option but may not be safe everywhere. It would be remiss of me to discuss visiting the Caribbean on a budget without a separate section dedicated to yachting.
